Sen. Cruz: With President Trump’s Leadership, We Are Close to Achieving a Win-Win Solution for Corn Farmers and Refinery Workers

Commends President Trump for bringing the two sides together; applauds Bill Northey’s confirmation to the USDA

February 27, 2018

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today issued the following statement after the meeting at the White House regarding the broken RINs system:

“This morning, we had a very positive and productive meeting on fixing the broken RINs system. I commend President Trump for bringing the two sides together and for leaning in hard to find a win-win solution that benefits both Iowa farmers and blue-collar refinery workers. We made real progress, and, with the President’s leadership, I believe we are close to solving the problem.

“At the conclusion of the meeting, President Trump asked that we convene another White House meeting this week with representatives of the ethanol industry and with refineries facing crushing job losses under the current RINs system. After that meeting, I believe we are likely to arrive upon a win-win solution that (1) stops the RINs system from imposing billions in unnecessary costs for refineries and threatening the jobs of tens of thousands of blue-collar union workers, and (2) expands the potential market for ethanol, allowing corn farmers to sell substantially more corn each year.

“Another result of today’s meeting was that Bill Northey was immediately confirmed as Undersecretary of Agriculture. As I said in November—explicitly and in writing—I would happily lift the hold on Mr. Northey as soon as the Iowa senators sat down with me and President Trump to discuss a win-win solution to the broken RINs system. It took four months for that meeting finally to occur, and as soon as it did, Northey was confirmed minutes later. With his significant experience as a fourth generation farmer and his record of public service, I am confident he will be a strong addition to the team Secretary Perdue has assembled at the Department of Agriculture.”